Platelet units are very small (maybe 50 cc), and are often pooled (as in "Give me a six-pack of platelets"). One unit dripped in might last 15 minutes. A six pack will take longer.

FFP (Fresh Frozen PLASMA, not platelets) is a larger unit, maybe 250-300cc. It can be dripped in over hours, or infused quickly.

In the OR, we tend to give them fast. We have machines that can push a liter of fluid into a patient in just a few minutes. We usually run platelets and FFP in over 5-15 minutes, depending on the situation. Trauma patients may get their blood products infused in under a minute.

On a gravity drip it takes about 30 mins to infuse one unit of platelets into me. It has in the past thought to be counter productive to infuse platelets on a pump bc it was thought to damage them. They are sensitive creatures. However, this is now being proven false, and more often platelets are being infused by pump. On a pump they can be set to infuse at any time level probably up to a couple hours. It cant be too long or the platelets will clot.

I have never received fresh frozen plasma, so cant speak for that.

Source(s): Many platelet transfustions through cancer treatment for aml